4 October 2012 St Francis of Assisi He lived and preached a life of poverty and love of God to all. Founded the religious ‘Order of the Franciscans’; with St Clare, the ‘Order of the Poor Clares’ and the Third Order for lay people. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1661) The Great Saint of Assisi St Francis! We all know what the birth of the great Saint of Assisi has meant for mankind! With him, Dante said, “a sun was born to the world”. There are many reasons why he exerted and goes on exerting a marked fascination in the Church, and outside her as well: his was an optimistic vision of the whole of creation as the epiphany of God and the homeland of Christ, whom he celebrated in his very well known “Canticle of Creatures”; he chose poverty as the expression of his whole life, and called it “My Lady -- Madonna”, the term used by knights to their ladies and by Christians to the Mother of God. But supporting it was an integrally practiced theological virtue. He rarely calls it by name, because it became his state of mind and made him concentrate everything on God, made him expect everything from Him, made him happy not to possess anything but from Him. He expressed this state of mind in passionate tones in the “Chartula”, the “Little Charter” which he gave to Friar Leo on Mount La Vena: “Thou art the good, very good, the supreme good, Lord, living and true ... Thou art our hope.” Yes, because true hope, this gift of the Spirit which does not disappoint (cf Rom 5:5) derives from a unique certainty that “the Son of God ... loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal 2:20) Recovery of this certainty is urgent for the world of today, furrowed by so many disquiets, which are like an assault upon the hope brought by Christ to all: “Take courage! I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33) Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp348-9 The poverty of St Francis We might say that St Francis practised evangelical poverty to extreme. He was about twenty-five years old when his father made him renounce in the presence of the Bishop of Assisi his whole patrimony. He had been profuse in almsgiving, and had offered to rebuild the Church of St Damian, which was in ruins. Francis signed the deed without a word. He even laid his clothes at his father’s feet, and took his leave, saying that henceforth, he would have no other means of support other than God and his Providence. From that time he lived on alms, clothed in a shepherd’s cloak, and sheltered by the ruins of St Damian. But one day, hearing these words read in the Mass, “Take no gold, or silver, or money in your belts; ... or two coats, or shoes, or a staff” (Mt 10:9-10). He thought he still had too much. Throwing away his shoes and staff, he substituted a rope for his leather girdle; and preached repentance. God deigned to reward so generous a sacrifice by conferring upon the saint extraordinary favors. His voice was irresistible, and disciples were drawn to him in crowds. He formed them into a religious body. Three years later they had sixty convents, built and supported wholly by contributions of the people. So was the poverty of St Francis made rich. Let us, like St Francis, look upon poverty as the headstone of religion, the root of perfection. Let us love it as a mother. Let it be our glory, not our shame. Let us carefully fulfil its every precept. Think of his marvelous humility. When he was nothing more than the merchant’s son at Assisi, unknown to the world he was great in his own esteem, greedy of notice, prompt to avenge an insult. As Superior-General of 12,000 religious, admired and praised by all, he was humble, nothing in his own eyes, unworthy to be raised to the priesthood, wishing only to be forgotten, scoffed at for the sake of God. What brought about this wonderful change? The light which God gave and showed him that everything good and beautiful in the world or in ourselves comes from, and belongs to, God. To us, contempt. What we own is original sin, inclination to evil, inability to perform a single supernatural act. We know this well enough. It has all been explained to us. How is it, then, that it does not affect us like it did St Francis? Why are we not humble like him? Because we meditate on these truths superficially, and soon forget them? If we had them always before our eyes, we, too would make rapid progress in all virtue which is rooted in humility; and obtain special graces and favors. God always gives himself to the humble. Let us unite ourself then, on his feast day, to his great family, which eight centuries of persecution have not been able to crush, but still remains in all its vigor with a home in every land. Beg the saint to get us, not his ecstasies, not his stigmata, not his gift of miracles; but his love of poverty, his humility. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp636-8 Friar Leo A pious legend about Friar Leo, a Third Order Franciscan and close follower of St Francis reflects the help of the Blessed Virgin in our sanctity and salvation. He had a vision of the Day of Judgment. He saw an open window in heaven where Jesus and St Francis let down a red ladder with steps so widely spread apart that it was impossible to climb. Many attempted to climb but few succeeded. Another window then opened, this time the Blessed Virgin was in their company. They let down another ladder. It was white with steps considerably closer together. People began to climb with great jubilation, one after another. Whenever any one began to falter, Our Lady would call him by his name and offer her encouragement. She would send an angel to lend a hand to the one having difficulties. Eventually, all of them who made an effort managed to get up the ladder, one after the other. Ref: Cf “Vita Fratris Leonis” in “Anacleta Franciscana”, III, I. In F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:332 • Our Lady of Vaussivieres, on the mountains of Auvergne, near “Mont d’Or”, where there is an image which has remained miraculously from the ruins of Vaussivieres, which was destroyed by the English about the year 1374. This image having been transferred to the Church of Besse, was found again in its former place. — Duchene, c. 9. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Vaussivières near Mt. d’Or, Auvergne, France. 1374. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Saint Mary of the Angels. (http://www/mariedenazareth.com)